How to Get Rid of Excessive Soap After Wash Cycle

The residue of excessive soap can leave your laundry stiff and smelling strongly of detergent, and the chemicals can be very harsh against sensitive skin. Using too much soap is also bad for your washing machine and your clothes, making both wear out faster than normal.

Prevent having too much soap left after a wash cycle by reducing the amount of soap you add at the beginning of the cycle. Remember that detergent companies make the recommendations of amounts with an eye towards profits--the more you use, the more money they make.

Start by using half the recommended amount of detergent. Experiment until you find the right amount to get your clothes clean without having excessive soap left over.

Add vinegar to the rinse cycle. Vinegar acts as a rinse agent to eliminate soapy residue. Put it into the cup intended for the fabric softener when you start the wash cycle. Use about 1/4 to 1/2 a cup, depending on your washing machine model. The vinegar is diluted enough that the clothes should not smell like vinegar after they come out of the washer.

Eliminate excessive soap left on the clothes after the wash cycle has completed by running the clothes through another rinse cycle, preferably with vinegar added. If the soap build-up is very bad, run another full wash cycle without adding any more soap.